Quick connect and disconnect rope system

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a quick connect and disconnect (QCD) system for connecting and disconnecting a load via a rope to a pulling force include a primary load bar connected to a first rail and a second rail and a compression pin assembly to be inserted between the first rail and the second rail. The rails may be in a variety of configurations to accommodate different hitching systems for a pulling force. The rope, the primary load bar, and the compression pin are used to form a knot that may be tied and untied relatively quickly. One end of a QCD system can be attached to a pulling force and one leg of the knot formed on the QCD may be connected to a load. In this way, a load can be connected to and disconnected from a pulling force relatively quickly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application claiming the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/847,317, which was filed on Mar. 19, 2013, whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,211 on Dec. 17, 2013, and is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a quick connect and disconnect rope system.

BACKGROUND

An object may be transported or secured by connecting a chain, cable,strap, or rope to the object.

However, there are disadvantages to connecting and transporting anobject with a chain, cable, or strap. Chains are relatively expensiveand heavy. Furthermore, the connection formed using a chain can beunreliable. Still further, the practical length of a chain limits itsuse for transporting an object.

Although cables can be less expensive and less heavy than chains, cablesare relatively stiff and may have frayed wires, thereby making cablesdifficult to handle by hand.

Straps are generally used with a ratcheting system. However, it is arelatively complicated, time consuming, and high strength process toconnect and disconnect the straps from the ratcheting system.

A rope may be the most cost effective instrument for transporting orsecuring an object. Ropes are strong and can be long. However, existingrope tying techniques can be complex and time consuming.

The above problems with chains, cables, straps, and ropes may bemagnified for people with physical impairments, limited strength andgrip, and/ or limited experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example implementation of a quick connectand disconnect (QCD) system according to the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of the primary load bar ofthe QCD system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of the compression pinassembly of the QCD system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A through 4F illustrate an example method for tying a quick knotto a QCD system.

FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate an example method for untying a quickknot from a QCD system.

FIGS. 6A through FIG. 6E illustrate example QCD systems with differentrail configurations for different hitching systems.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate yet another example QCD system with a railconfiguration for use with a load binder hitching system.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a dual QCD load binder assembly.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example environment in which a QCD assemblyaccording to this disclosure can be used.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example method of tying a load leg of a rope toan example load.

FIG. 14 illustrates a looped formed with a cable clamp at the end of theload leg.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate an example implementation of a loopretainer used to tie a load leg of a rope to a load.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate another example QCD assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various implementations of this disclosure provide apparatuses andmethods for quickly and reliable connecting and disconnecting a ropethat may be attached to a load on one end to a pulling force on theother end. Implementations of a quick connect and disconnect (QCD)system include a primary load bar connected to a first rail and a secondrail and a compression pin assembly to be inserted between the firstrail and the second rail. The rails may be in a variety ofconfigurations to accommodate different hitching systems for a pullingforce. A rope, the primary load bar, and the compression pin are used toform a knot that may be tied and untied relatively quickly. One end of aQCD system can be attached to a pulling force and one leg of the knotformed on the QCD may be connected to a load. In this way, a load can beconnected to and disconnected from a pulling force relatively quickly.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example implementation of a quick connectand disconnect (QCD) system 100 according to the principles of thepresent disclosure for connecting and disconnecting a load via a rope102 to a pulling force (not shown) such as a motor vehicle on thepulling force end 140 of the QCD system. The QCD system 100 comprises aprimary load bar 110, a compression pin assembly 120, a left rail 130 a,and a right rail 130 b. The primary load bar 110 is connected betweenthe left rail 130 a and the right rail 130 b and the compression pinassembly 120 is configured to be inserted between the left rail and theright rail.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the knot 105 formed by rope 102 (the method offorming will be discussed below) includes a first leg 102 a and a secondleg 102 b. The second leg 102 b can be attached to a load (not shown).The primary load bar 110 may be configured to withstand a load on therope 102.

As an overall summary, FIG. 12 illustrates an example environment 1200in which a QCD assembly 1210 according to this disclosure can be used.As shown in FIG. 12, a QCD assembly 1210 according to the principles ofthe present disclosure is used to connect and disconnect a rope 1220 toa pulling force 1230. The rope is attached to a load 1240.

Returning to FIG. 1A, in some implementations, the compression pinassembly 120 operates in the same or similar manner to thecompression-hitching pin 250 described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/541,654 entitled “Floating Hitching System”, now U.S. Pat. No.8,360,460, (i.e., compression-hitching pin 250 of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 ofthe '654 patent application), which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. In some implementations, the compression pin assembly isconfigured as the compression-hitching pin 250 in the '654 patentapplication

FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of the primary load bar 110of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view at line 2-2 of FIG. 1A. Asshown in FIG. 2, in some implementations, the primary load bar 110includes an outer tube 210, an inner tube (e.g., a dual shoulder bolt)220, and fastening hardware 230 a, 230 b to connect the inner tube 220to the rails 130 a, 130 b, respectively.

The outer tube 210 may be of sufficient diameter and length to spin onthe inner tube 220. In some implementations, the primary load bar 110includes standard bolts, an inner, longer tube, and an outer, shortertube that spins around the inner tube.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of the compression pinassembly 120 of FIG. 1. In some implementations, the compression pinassembly 120 includes an eye bolt 310, a compression spring 320, and adowel pin 340 inserted in the shaft 330 of the compression pin assembly120. The head of the eye bolt 310 can serve as a stop for thecompression spring 320 and as a handle to manipulate the compression pinassembly 120. In some implementations, the dowel pin 340 can serve toprevent the compression pin assembly 120 from coming out of the hole 350b in the right rail 130 b and as the locking key after the shaft 330 isinserted into the dual-notched hole 350 a in the left rail 130 a. Insome implementations, protrusions 360 a, 360 b on the left rail 130 a,along with the outward force of the compression spring 320, can serve asa locking mechanism.

FIGS. 4A through 4F illustrate an example method for tying a quick knot(such as the knot 105 of FIG. 1B) to a QCD system 400. The QCD system400 of FIG. 4 is similar to the QCD system 100 of FIG. 1A. Both systemsinclude a primary load bar connected to a left rail and a right rail anda compression pin assembly to be inserted between the left rail and theright rail. The primary load bar and compression pin assembly are thesame in both systems while the rails are different. As will becomeevident, the principles of the present disclosure apply to a variety ofQCD systems including a primary load bar connected to a left rail and aright rail and a compression pin assembly to be inserted between theleft rail and the right rail where the rails may be in a variety ofconfigurations to accommodate different hitching systems for a pullingforce. For example, FIGS. 6A through FIG. 6E illustrates example QCDsystems with different rail configurations for different hitchingsystems. FIG. 6A illustrates a QCD system 600 a configured for ahook-type hitching system. QCD system 600 a may be used to hitch a loadto a truck bed. FIG. 6B illustrates a QCD system 600 b configured for astandard ball and socket trailer hitch system. FIG. 6C illustrates a QCDsystem 600 c configured for a standard “U” tongue trailer hitch systemto hitch a load to the tow bar of a motor vehicle. FIGS. 6D and 6Eillustrate a QCD system 600 d configured to convert from a rope to othermediums, such as a strap, a cable or a chain. The pulling force end ofthe QCD rails are modified to accommodate bolt 610 which allowsconnection to a hook 620, for example.

Returning to FIG. 4A, to tie a quick knot to a QCD system, first, createa loop 407 at any point along a rope 405 to produce a load leg 410 andthe loose leg 420. Then, bring the loop 407 under, up, and over the loadbar 110 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Then, bring the loop 407 between the legs 410 and 420, as illustrated inFIG. 4B.

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, bring the loop 407 under, up, and over theload bar 110 again.

Then bring the loop 407 over the legs 410, 420 as shown in FIG. 4D.

Then pull a portion of the legs 410, 420 between the loop 407 such thatthe ends of the legs 410, 420 hang under the loop 407 as shown in FIG.4E. This sequence produces a tunnel 430 into which the compression pinshaft 330 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 4F. The hole 425 may beconfigured with slots to receive the lower portion of the shaft 330 andthe dowel pin 340 of the compression pin 120 when the dowel pin 340 isin a first direction lengthwise. The compression spring 320 may be of asufficient diameter such that the compression spring 320 is blocked bythe right rail. When the bottom of the compression spring 320 rests onthe right rail, the lower portion of the shaft 330 may be of asufficient length such that the end of the shaft 330 can be received bythe hole 425 of left rail. As the handle 310 of the compression pin 120is pushed toward the left rail, the compression spring 320 may becompressed, and then the handle 310 of the compression pin 120 may berotated to position the dowel pin 340 in a second direction lengthwiseto lock the compression pin 120 in place. In some implementations, thehandle 310 may be rotated 90 degrees from the first direction (that is,the first direction and the second direction are at right angles).

When the rope is tightened by mechanical cam action (e.g., the loadbinder of FIGS. 7 and 8), the cam action may stretch the rope arelatively short distance. Thus, to tighten the load leg 410, the ropemay be pulled where it first wraps around the load bar and then theremaining slack in the rope may be worked toward the loose end.

The knot may be tightened further when a pulling force is activated. Insome implementations, tying a knot according to the above method maytake three to six seconds.

The load leg 410 then may be tied to a load. In some implementations,the load leg 410 may be tied to the load first before the knot is formedusing a QCD. FIG. 13 illustrates an example method of tying the load leg410 to an example load 1310 (e.g., a log). As illustrated in FIG. 13, acable clamp 1320 and loop retainer 1330 are used to tie the load leg 410to the load 1310. The cable clamp 1320 may be used to form a loop 1340at the end of the load leg 410 as shown in FIG. 14. The end of the loadleg may be looped around the load 1310. A loop 1350 then may be formedwith the load leg and inserted into the loop 1340. The loop retainer1330 then may be inserted into the loop 1350 to bind the rope around theload.

FIG. 15A illustrates an example implementation of the loop retainer1330. The loop retainer 1330 includes eyebolts 1502, 1512, a compressionspring 1506, and a dowel pin 1504. The eyelet of eyebolt 1502 serves asa handle for the shaft of eyebolt 1502. The compression spring 1506 andthe dowel pin 1504 lock the eyebolt into the double slotted inner sleeve1508 when eyebolt 1502 is inserted into the sleeve 1508, firmly pushed,and then turned. When the eyebolt 1502 is released, the dowel pin 1504nests into the notch in the slot which holds the spring in thecompressed state and locks the loop retainer 1330.

The double slotted inner sleeve 1508 can be firmly secured into thereceiving shaft 1510 during assembly. In some implementations, thedouble slotted inner sleeve can be eliminated and the receiving shaft1510 can be a threaded rod connector. Eyebolt 1512 can have threads thatare compatible with the receiving shaft 1510. The assembly then can bescrewed together. In some implementations, the threaded rod connectorcan be milled so that it has the double notched slots and a smooth borefrom the slots to the end for the eyebolt 1502. Since the dowel pinlength may be less than the diameter of the threaded rod connector, thisimplementation may be employed in a similar fashion to loop retainer1330.

In another implementations, two threaded load eyebolts are screwed intothe ends of the threaded rod connector. The difference between a loadeyebolt and a regular eyebolt may be that the end of the eyelet loop maybe welded to the shaft. Therefore, the load eyebolt can withstand loadsthat would straighten out a normal eyebolt.

FIGS. 14 and 15B illustrate the use of a lanyard 1528 to tie the twoends of the loop binder 1330 together. Clamps 1524 and 1526 are used tosecure the ends of the lanyard around the respective eyebolt. Washer1522 may be used to prevent the lanyard from interfering withcompression spring 1506. As illustrated in FIG. 14 the lanyard can beplaced inside the cable clamp during assembly. This process may assurethat the two ends of the loop retainer are readily available when therope is looped around a log. Since the outside of the threaded rodconnector may be a smooth hexagon tube, it may be readily inserted and,more important, removed from the loop.

FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate an example method for untying the quickknot from the QCD system 400. First, remove the tension on the knot byturning off the pulling force. Then, push on the loop 407, as shown inFIG. 5A, to loosen the knot, as shown in FIG. 5B.

Then unlock and remove the compression pin 120 from the left rail bypushing down and rotating the compression pin 120 to position the dowelpin 340 back in the first direction lengthwise so that the dowel pin 340may be passed back through the hole 425.

As shown in FIG. 5C, after the compression pin 120 is removed from thehole 425 and the tunnel 430, pull the legs 410 and 420 to unwrap theloop 407 from the load bar 110. The spinning of the outer tube 210 ofthe load bar 110 may assist in the unwrapping of the loop 407 from theload bar 110.

In some implementations, untying the knot according to the above methodmay take three seconds or less.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate yet another example assembly 700 including anexample QCD system 760 with a rail configuration for use with a loadbinder hitching system. The load binder includes a connecting hook 730and lever 710 that can be connected via a pin 720 when a hole 735 b ofconnecting hook 730 is aligned with holes 725 a and 725 b of the lever710 as shown in FIG. 8. The lever 710 may include a slot 762 to provideclearance for a hook 735 a of the connecting hook 730 when the loadbinder is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 7, rails 750 a and 750 b of QCD 760 are bent to connectto the pivot point 740 a of the lever arm 710 using rivets 740 c and 740d. The rails 750 a and 750 b also are configured so that the connectinghook 730 and the lever 710 assembly fits between the rails in the closedposition as shown in FIG. 8. The hook 735 a can connect to a fixedpoint, such as rails along the sides of a flat truck bed. By combiningthe load binder with QCD system, the load binder, which was usedexclusively with chains, now can be used with ropes. The hook 735 a canconnect to a pulling force such as rails along the sides of a flat truckbed and the load leg of the rope can be connected to a load. Once a knotis formed using the QCD system 760 as described above, in someimplementations, the rope may be stretched up to three inches when thelever 710 moves from an open position to a closed position. Duringclosure, the connector at 735 b moves past the center line of forcewhich in turn locks the lever closed and binds the load securely. Themore the load pulls on the rope, the tighter the lever arm may beclamped.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a dual QCD load binder assembly 900. The dual QCDload binder assembly 900 is similar to the assembly 700 of FIGS. 1 and8, except that assembly 900 replaces the connecting hook 730 of assembly700 with a second QCD 910. Thus, the dual QCD load binder assembly 900includes a first QCD 905, a second QCD 910, and a lever 915.

In some implementations, the dual QCD load binder assembly 900 may beused to secure a load on a truck. For example, a knot as describe withreference to FIGS. 4A-4F may be formed using the first QCD 905 where theload leg of a rope may be connected to the load. In this implementation,the load leg of the rope can be connected to the rail of a flatbed onthe back side of the load and the loose leg of the rope continues downthe load and around the bed rail on the facing side of the truck. Withthe lever 915 in the open position (as shown in FIG. 11), the loose endof the rope can be taken up and tied snugly to the second QCD 910 asdescribe with reference to FIGS. 4A-4F. The dual QCD load binderassembly 900 can be closed by pulling down on the lever 915 until itgoes past dead center and is locked in place. Thus the load may besecurely bound to the truck. The QCD 905 may be tied up the side of theload so that the operator can apply the operator's weight when pullingdown on the lever. If QCD 910 is placed up the side of the load, thenthe operator can push up to bind the load.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate another example QCD assembly 1600. The QCDassembly 1600 can be used to drag a log, brush, poles, etc behind atractor with a three-point-hitch lift capability as shown, for example,in FIG. 12. The lifting of the front end of the log may prevent abrasionof the rope. Lifting the front of the log also may reduce frictionbetween the log and the ground. It also may avoid the front end of thelog hitting the ground, a root or a stump and placing additional loadson the tractor.

In some implementations, the QCD assembly 1600 includes a basketassembly 1615. Weights 1610 a and 1610 b may be placed in the basketsnext to brace 1620 b. Placing the weights just behind the rear wheels(as shown in FIG. 12) and adjacent or inside the lift arms puts moreweight on the rear tires and provides greater traction. Placingadditional weight on the front wheels (e.g., when placing heavy sticksin the front bucket of the tractor loader) helps in steering and inpulling for four wheel driven tractors by forcing the front wheels downon the ground. The weights also provide a counter balance for loads thatmay be in the front bucket.

The basket assembly 1615 can be used to provide storage for differentsize and different length ropes that may be used for towing differentitems (logs, brush, poles, etc.) The long basket placed in the front of1615 may be used to hold longer ropes and tools. The location of thebasket may make the ropes and tools used readily available to theoperator.

The A frame assembly (bars 1620 a, 1620 b and 1620 c) providesconnection to the upper arm on a tractor (e.g., a turnbuckle with aneyebolt on the end). In some implementations, the frame assembly isconnected to a pulling force that is inserted between and pinned toholes 1625 a and 1625 b. The upper arm on the tractor can be lengthenedor shortened (e.g., by turning the outer shaft of a turnbuckle). Thelength of the arm can control the pitch of the tubes 1650 a and 1650 b.Thus, in some implementations, the upper arm can be used to control theheight that a load (e.g., a log) is lifted by either QCD 1660 or 1670.Two QCD's can be used to pickup two moderate size logs at two differentplaces. As shown in FIG. 16, compression pins 1665 and 1675 are insertedinto the inner side of tube 1650 a. This reduces the probability thatsomething may catch on the dowel pin, turn the compression pin and losethe log.

The other two attachment points may be eyebolts that are pushed on andpinned to prongs 1630 a and 1630 b. The two eyebolts can be attached totwo bars that are attached to the lifting arms of the tractor'sthree-point-hitch lift. The eyebolts can pivot on the prongs and do soas the implement is raised or lowered or as the upper arm's length isadjusted. By bolting the prongs 1630 a and 1630 b into the respectivehole pairs of either 1640 a &1640 e (not shown), 1640 b & 1640 f, 1640 c& 1640 g, or 1640 d & 1640 h, the implement pitch and distance of theweights from the back of the tractor are further adjusted.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example implementation of a hitch adapter 1710that can be placed over the two QCD's 1660, 1670 of FIG. 16 and providea chain hitch 1730 for chain 1740. The shape of chain hitch 1730 and theweight of the chain 1740 may reduce the probability that the chain linkin the jaws of the hitch will slip out when the chain is slack.

By rotating the hitch adapter 1710 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 18, theball 1720 is rotated to the end of the implement and can be used toconnect to the socket 1830. By removing the nut connecting the ball 1720to the adapter 1710, the ball connector 1720 can be stored in the basketand other connector types, such as a hook or an eyebolt, can be attachedto the hitch adapter 1710 and used.

FIG. 18 further illustrates how compression pins 1820 a, 1820 b, 1820 cand 1820 d can be inserted and locked into the respective, notched holes1810 c, 1810 d, 1810 e and 1810 f to attach the adapter 1710 to therectangular tubes 1650 a and 1650 b. By shifting the adapter to notchedholes 1810 a, 1810 b, 1810 c and 1810 d, the adapter 1710 can be shiftedinto storage and the QCD's 1660 and 1670 are exposed and can be used.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or“implementation” or words of similar import means that a particulardescribed feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at leastone embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in anembodiment” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughoutthis specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combinedin any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the abovedescription, numerous specific details are provided for a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown ordescribed in detail.

1. A quick connect and disconnect (QCD) system forconnecting/disconnecting a load via a rope to/from a pulling forcecomprising: a first rail having a first hole; a second rail having asecond hole; a primary load bar connected between the first and secondrails; and a compression pin assembly wherein the compression pinassembly includes a handle; a shaft; a dowel pin inserted through theshaft at a first location wherein the ends of the first pin extend fromthe shaft; and a compression spring located around the shaft between thefirst pin and the handle, wherein the first hole of the first rail andthe second hole of the second rail are configured to receive the shaftof the compression pin and wherein the compression spring is of asufficient diameter so that the first rail blocks the compression springfrom being inserted into the first hole.
 2. The QCD system of claim 1wherein the primary load bar comprises an outer tube and an inner tubewherein the inner tube attaches to the first and second rails and theouter tube is configured to spin around the inner tube.
 3. The QCDsystem of claim 1 wherein the second hole of the second rail includes aslot to receive the shaft and the dowel pin of the compression pin whenthe pin is in a first direction lengthwise.
 4. A method of tying a knotusing the QCD system of claim 1 comprising: folding a rope at any pointalong the rope to create a loop, a first rope leg, and a second ropeleg; then bringing the loop under, up, and over the primary load bar;then bringing the loop between the first rope leg and the second ropeleg; then bringing the loop under, up, and over the primary load baragain; then bringing the loop over the first rope leg and the secondrope leg; then pulling a portion of the first rope leg and the secondrope leg between the loop such that the ends of the first rope leg andthe second rope leg hang under the loop; inserting the compression pinshaft through a tunnel produced by pulling a portion of the first ropeleg and the second rope leg between the loop; inserting the compressionpin through the second hole of the second rail while the pin is in thefirst direction lengthwise; and rotating the compression pin to positionthe dowel pin in a second direction lengthwise to lock the compressionpin to the second rail.
 5. A method of untying the knot of claim 4comprising: removing the compression pin from the second rail byrotating the compression pin to position the dowel pin back in the firstdirection lengthwise so that the dowel pin may be passed back throughthe second hole. removing the compression pin from the tunnel; andpulling the first rope leg and the second rope leg to unwrap the loopfrom the primary load bar.
 6. A method of tying a knot using a quickconnect and disconnect (QCD) system wherein the QCD system comprises afirst rail; a second rail; and a primary load bar connected between thefirst and second rails, the method comprising: folding a rope at anypoint along the rope to create a loop, a first rope leg, and a secondrope leg; then bringing the loop under, up, and over the primary loadbar; then bringing the loop between the first rope leg and the secondrope leg; then bringing the loop under, up, and over the primary loadbar again; then bringing the loop over the first rope leg and the secondrope leg; then pulling a portion of the first rope leg and the secondrope leg between the loop such that the ends of the first rope leg andthe second rope leg hang under the loop; and inserting a shaft through atunnel produced by pulling a portion of the first rope leg and thesecond rope leg between the loop.
 7. A method of untying the knot ofclaim 6 comprising: removing the shaft from the tunnel; and pulling thefirst rope leg and the second rope leg to unwrap the loop from theprimary load bar.